From Alessi to Supreme: Phaidon's New Monograph Explores the Full Scope of Alessandro Mendini's Work
Written by the Italian designer’s longtime collaborator and friend, Stefano Casciani.
Summary
- Phaidon published a full monograph on Alessandro Mendini, authored by Stefano Casciani
- It features over 300 illustrations across design, architecture and editorial work
- Wrapped in a pink cloth hardback cover, the book is priced at $150 USD
Alessandro Mendini: Imagination Takes Command is the first comprehensive monograph dedicated to the visionary Italian designer, architect and critic Alessandro Mendini. Published by Phaidon and authored by Stefano Casciani – Mendini’s longtime collaborator and friend – the book offers an intimate and richly illustrated account of Mendini’s boundary-pushing work.
Spanning his contributions to Italy’s Radical design movement and Postmodernism, the volume includes collaborations with brands like Alessi, Hermès, Swarovski and Supreme, as well as his editorial leadership at Domus magazine. The 300-page hardcover features over 300 illustrations, including previously unpublished photographs, sketches and ephemera that reflect Mendini’s eccentric and emotionally resonant design language. From furniture and product design to architecture and editorial work, the book captures the full scope of his creative universe — one defined by vivid color, playful form and intellectual depth.
True to Mendini’s aesthetic, the book itself is a collectible object. It comes wrapped in a pink cloth cover featuring one of Mendini’s iconic magazine designs on the front and a sketch of his celebrated Proust chair on the back. Die-cut laminated chapter openers with wavy edges add a tactile, whimsical touch, reinforcing the designer’s belief that imagination should always take command.
Alessandro Mendini: Imagination Takes Command is now available for purchase via Phaidon’s webstore, retailing at £100 GBP/ $150 USD.
